persistent

play

adjective per·sis·tent \pər-ˈsi-stənt, -ˈzi-\

Definition of persistent

1 : existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such asa : retained beyond the usual period a persistent leafb : continuing without change in function or structure persistent gillsc : effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing mustard gas is persistentd : degraded only slowly by the environment persistent pesticidese : remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation persistent viruses
2a : continuing or inclined to persist in a courseb : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years

persistently

adverb

See persistent defined for English-language learners

See persistent defined for kids

Examples of persistent in a Sentence

Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report “America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength.” Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power. —Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since. —Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.

Recent Examples of persistent from the Web

Especially because this one takes the ever-popular yet ever-persistent unicorn food trend to another sugary level.

— melissa minton, Teen Vogue, "Cheesecake Factory Adds Funfetti Cake to Menu", 6 July 2017
Some of the symptoms include persistent coughing, sneezing, fever and decreased appetite.

— valeria merino, The Courier-Journal, "Dog owners, beware of the rise of canine influenza", 29 June 2017
The lab’s criticality safety shortcomings have been so persistent that NNSA in August 2015 threatened to fine Los Alamos’ managing contractors more than a half-million dollars for failing to correct them.

— patrick malone, Science | AAAS, "A near-disaster at a federal nuclear weapons", 29 June 2017
Hyperbaric treatment, increasingly given to diabetics — many of them elderly with persistent wounds — involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized air chamber typically for two hours each weekday, often for more than a month.

— phil galewitz, Kaiser Health News, "Hospitals Ramp Up Hyperbaric Therapy For Diabetics, Despite Concerns", 28 June 2017
Kumail found some time to sit down with us on the latest episode of the BA Foodcast to talk tacos, Pakistani cooking, and his persistent Cronut problem.

— adam rapoport, Bon Appetit, "Kumail Nanjiani on the British Dessert He Mastered Thanks to Mary Berry", 22 June 2017
After all that silence, the Warmbier family and the world learned last week that Warmbier had lived for at least 14 months in a state of unresponsive wakefulness, a relatively new term for the condition also called persistent vegetative state.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "The medical mysteries of Otto Warmbier's last days", 21 June 2017
And in part due to the persistent recruiting of Grube and Andy Bessette of Travelers.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Exciting Field: Spieth, McIlroy, Day Help Boost Interest, Surge In Ticket Sales", 21 June 2017
Monday's late afternoon thunderstorms and persistent rain forced the New York-Penn League opener against the Hudson Valley Renegades to be postponed.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Aberdeen IronBirds season opener is a washout", 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persistent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of persistent

Latin persistent-, persistens, present participle of persistere —see persist

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First Known Use: 1826

See Words from the same year

PERSISTENT Defined for English Language Learners

persistent

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adjective

Definition of persistent for English Language Learners

: continuing to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop
: continuing beyond the usual, expected, or normal time : not stopping or going away

PERSISTENT Defined for Kids

persistent

play

adjective per·sist·ent \pər-ˈsi-stənt\

Definition of persistent for Students

: continuing to act or exist longer than usual a persistent cold

persistently

adverb

Medical Dictionary

persistent

play

adjective per·sis·tent \-tənt\

Medical Definition of persistent

1: existing or continuing for a long time: asa: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing mustard gas is persistentb: degraded only slowly by the environment persistent pesticidesc: remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation persistent viruses
2: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment a persistent cough has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years